Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter), people carry a complex arrangement of
greenery, wood shavings and ribbons called a
butara
to church to be blessed. They end up
as home decorations or are placed on the graves of relatives.
Many towns celebrate Midsummer's Night (Kresna Noč; 23 June) with a large bonfire,
and St John's Eve (30 April) is the night for setting up maypoles and more bonfires. A
žegnanje
is a fair or celebration held on the feast day of a church's patron saint. Naturally
a lot of them take place throughout Slovenia on 15 August, the feast of the Assumption of
the Virgin Mary.
Safe Travel
Slovenia is not a violent or dangerous society. Police say that 90% of all crimes reported
in Slovenia involve theft, so take the usual precautions. Be careful of your purse or wallet
in busy areas like bus and train stations, and don't leave it unattended on the beach, or in a
hut while hiking. Lock your car, park in well-lit areas and do not leave valuables visible.
Bike theft is also on the increase. Secure it at all times.
Alcohol may not be purchased from a shop, off-license or bar for consumption off the
premises between the hours of 9pm and 7am. You can drink to your heart's content in res-
taurants and bars.
Telephone
Public telephones require a
telefonska kartica
or
telekartica
(telephone card) available at
post offices and some newsstands. Phonecards cost €2.70/4/7.50/14.60 for 25/50/100/300
impulzov
(impulses, or units). A three-minute local call costs €0.09 during peak times
(7am to 7pm weekdays) and €0.07 at off-peak times.
A three-minute call from Slovenia to Austria, Croatia, Italy or Hungary will cost €0.37;
to much of Western Europe, including the UK, as well as Canada and the USA, it's €0.42;
to Australia €1.15; and to New Zealand, South Africa and most of Asia €1.71. Rates are
20% cheaper on most calls between 7pm and 7am every day. Slovenian call boxes do not
display their telephone numbers, so it's impossible for the other party to phone you back.
To call Slovenia from abroad, dial the international access code, 386 (the country
code for Slovenia), the area code (minus the initial zero) and the number. There are six
area codes in Slovenia ( 01 to 05 and 07). To call abroad from Slovenia, dial
00 followed by the country and area codes and then the number. Numbers beginning with
80 are toll-free.
